(Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Pronounced "c-moss." The most widely used integrated circuit design. It is found in almost every electronic product from handheld devices to mainframes. CMOS uses PMOS and NMOS transistors wired together in a balanced fashion that causes less power to be used than NMOS or PMOS transistors by themselves. The first transistors were bipolar, which are still used when higher power is required. CMOS and bipolar are also used in combination for many applications. See MOSFET, FET and bipolar transistor. See also CMOS memory.
A Note from the Author
Years ago, we had a kitten at the beach that we named CMOS. When we introduced the cute feline to people while the surf was slapping the sand, everyone thought it was such an appropriate name for a beach cat. "Sea Moss." Of course! However, when we told them her name stood for "complementary metal oxide semiconductor," they didn't come around much any more.
CMOS and Irma
This picture of CMOS and Alan Freedman's wife was taken one summer in Fair Harbor, NY in the early 1980s. CMOS didn't last long, as Alan became quite allergic to the cat a few months later.
A Note from the Author
Years ago, we had a kitten at the beach that we named CMOS. When we introduced the cute feline to people while the surf was slapping the sand, everyone thought it was such an appropriate name for a beach cat. "Sea Moss." Of course! However, when we told them her name stood for "complementary metal oxide semiconductor," they didn't come around much any more.
CMOS and Irma
This picture of CMOS and Alan Freedman's wife was taken one summer in Fair Harbor, NY in the early 1980s. CMOS didn't last long, as Alan became quite allergic to the cat a few months later.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Casio upgrading Exilim models to EX-FC150 and EX-FH25
- Casio has two new systems lined up for its Exilim series: the EX-FC150 and EX-FH25. Their upgrades from the EX-FC100 and EX-FH20, respectively, are very subtle, mainly some new model codes and backlit CMOS sensors, plus a few other tweaks. by Rachel King
- Blog posts 2009-11-16
- Canon introduces EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR Camera
- Canon has just announced its newest EOS-1D series model: the Mark IV Digital SLR Camera. The two prime highlights of this 16.1-megapixel CMOS sensor camera are improved its AF system and full HD video capability. Professional event photographers (especially those at sporting...
- Blog posts 2009-10-20
- JVC debuts its first mini-HD camcorder: the PICSIO GC-FM1
- Should Flip be worried about yet another entry into the mini-HD camcorder market? JVC announced today the release of the PICSIO GC-FM1, its first mini HD digital camcorder. The new gadget, built with 4x digital zoom, shoots 8-megapixel stills and 1080p Full HD video in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format, storing movies...
- Blog posts 2009-10-13
- DOJ probes IBM's mainframe business
- M/F competitionThere use to be plug compatible m/f from Amdahl and Fujitsu. When IBM switched from bi-polar to CMOS technology, the competition was unable to make the same switch. They have left the field.A few years ago, there was a small manufacturer of a PC server capable of...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-08
- Canon Vixia HF S11
- Photo gallery:Canon Vixia HF S10/S11Many companies turn out SD-based camcorders in compact designs, simply because the flash-based technologies allow for much smaller models than those based on tape, hard disks, and mini DVDs. While Canon continues to offer compact AVCHD models, the Vixia HF20 and HF200, the company's branching out...
- Product reviews 2009-10-02
- Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
- Good low-light shooting without help from a flash is a rarely attained goal in the world of compact cameras. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 does it with three of the company's own components: a new sensor design, a high-end lens, and a fast image processor. The combination pays off for low-light...
- Product reviews 2009-09-30
- Gadget Gal's daily deals: Microsoft Zune 4GB, Aiptek A-HD camcorder, Toshiba DVD player
- A Microsoft Zune 4GB MP3 player with Zune car pack and headphones, an Aiptek A-HD high-definition camcorder, and a Toshiba upconverting 1080p DVD player. Here are your daily deals for Tuesday, September 15, straight from the Gadget Gal: 1. Get the Microsoft Zune 4GB MP3 Player Black...
- Blog posts 2009-09-15
- Leica announces new M9 and X1 digital cameras
- Leica has announced the upcoming release of two new digital camera models: the M9 and X1. According to the German manufacturer, the Leica M9 is "the world's smallest full-frame system camera," with its 24 x 36mm, 18-megapixel sensor.  Kodak has developed the CCD sensor features, which include improved offset...
- Blog posts 2009-09-09
- Stanford's open-source camera lets the public choose camera features
- What happens when you get Linux developers designing physical objects....You get a camera with no case, a motherboard sticking out, a huge lens on a dinky cellphone cmos chip, a built in USB hub, and some guy talking about making it "programmable" so that some other university eggheads can use...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-04
- Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
- fantastic all-rounder for the price *This is an exceptional camera. Now don't get me wrong, it's not perfect. It's not the very best camera you can buy, but as an all round package I think it is simply unbeatable for the price.I think the evidence of how...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-04
- Is the new Canon EOS 7D a Nikon D300s killer?
- Missed a couple of thingsThe 7D also uses SDHC CF cards. Those appear to be required for the maximum burst rate. And according to the posted spec, HD video works not only at 30FPS, but also at 24 and 29.97. I want one.RE: Is the new Canon...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-02
- Canon Vixia HG21
- The Canon Vixia HG21 is an excellent HD camcorder that's reasonably easy to operate out of the box and looks good, too. It's almost identical to the company's Vixia HF11, but rather than recording mainly to internal flash memory, it records to a hard drive. As for performance, it's as...
- Product reviews 2009-09-01
- Canon gets smart: Lowers megapixels in the new PowerShot G11
- About time too.After about 6 Megapixels the increase in resoulution is indistinguishable to the amature photographer and for most professional useage. Art, science and glossy magazine photogs are about the only true market for anything higher..Now the buying public needs to be eduacated that more is not always...
- Discussion threads 2009-08-21
- Canon introduces new VIXIA HD digital camcorder
- Along with the new digital cameras, Canon is releasing a new VIXIA model: the Canon VIXIA HF-S11 Dual Flash Memory camcorder. Intended to be a new "flagship camcorder model" for the company, the HD recorder is geared towards more advanced users, with an 8.59 megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor and...
- Blog posts 2009-08-19
- 341Mac CMOS Recovery 12.8 (Windows)
- 341MAC CMOS Recovery is software for reocovery bios config is bios fail or change by user so this software can recovery, backup bios, clear cmos password, set option for recovery mode, and Advance Command for control windows.
- Software downloads 2009-08-17
- Capture the mood with Sony's new low-light-shooting Cyber-shots
- Re: Capture the mood with Sony's new low-light shooting Cyber-shotsThe reviewer states incorrectly that the sensor allows more light into the camera. That is not possible. The sensor may achieve a greater ability to capture the light entering the camera such as with a higher sensitivity to light, but that's...
- Discussion threads 2009-08-10
- Capture the mood with Sony's new low-light-shooting Cyber-shots
- If you're tired of grainy, blurry photos taken in low-light settings, Sony's new Cyber-shot cameras may be the solution. Sony recently announced the addition of two new cameras to the Cyber-shot family: the WX1 and the TX1. The cameras are Sony's first to use a back-illuminated...
- Blog posts 2009-08-07
- Sony releasing Party-shot dock and two new digital cameras
- Most photos shot at parties often come out looking poorly, especially if you attempt them without flash. It can also be cumbersome to try to take pictures and hold a drink or food in your hand at the same time Well, Sony wants to help the amateur party-photographer crowd with...
- Blog posts 2009-08-06
- Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 photos
- Photos of Sony's Cyber-shot WX1, a compact camera that uses the company's Exmor R CMOS sensor for improved low-light performance and speed. by CNET News.com
- Image galleries 2009-08-05
- Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 photos
- Photos of Sony's Cyber-shot TX1, which features the company's backlit Exmor R CMOS sensor for improved low-light performance. by CNET News.com
- Image galleries 2009-08-05
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